Smoking drug 'tackles alcohol addiction'

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by Change | 9 Mar 2009

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New research has suggested that a drug commonly used to help smokers beat their nicotine cravings can also help to beat alcohol addiction.

A new study has suggested people who suffer from alcohol addiction could be helped by a drug that is often used to help wean people off cigarettes.

According to research from the Yale School of Medicine in the US, the drug varenicline helps to reduce cravings for alcohol as well as cutting down on people's smoking.

"A medication such as varenicline, which may target shared biological systems in alcohol and nicotine use, holds promise as a treatment for individuals with both disorders," said lead author Sherry McKee, associate professor of psychiatry at the school.

Published in the Biological Psychiatry journal, the findings are based on research focussing on heavy-drinking smokers.

Meanwhile, it has recently been claimed that a common muscle relaxant could also help tackle alcohol addiction.

Former addict and top American cardiologist Dr Olivier Ameisen claims the pill helped him to stay off the alcohol, after several visits to rehab clinics.

According to the Daily Mail, Dr Ameisen believes the drug was an important factor in his addiction treatment programme, but other experts have warned there is no clear evidence to prove the method can work for everyone.

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